Real Madrid host Atletico Madrid on Saturday in what is already the third Madrid derby of the 2014-15 campaign.
The Champions League holders had to settle for a 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu in the first leg of the Supercopa de Espana on August 19, before they were beaten 1-0 in the return at the Vicente Calderon three days later following Mario Mandzukic’s early goal.
Atleti have not always been this successful against Madrid, though, as they were beaten by their arch-rivals in last year’s Champions League final (4-1 aet) as well as in the 2013-14 Copa del Rey (5-0 agg).
In La Liga, the Bernabeu outfit hold a superior record over Atletico, winning 85 of their 154 encounters up to date, while drawing 33 and losing just 36.
However, the Calderon side were the stronger of the two in the league last season, winning 1-0 in the away game, while drawing 2-2 at home.
Diego Simeone’s men eventually won their first La Liga title since 1995-96 after bagging four points against their cross-town rivals and they will be desperate to repeat that feat this term.
Atletico might have lost star players Thibaut Courtois, Filipe Luis and Diego Costa, but they brought in some fine replacements in Miguel Moya, Cristian Ansaldi and Mario Mandzukic, while they also secured the services of Antoine Griezmann and Alessio Cerci.
Madrid, meanwhile, spent big to lure World Cup sensation James Rodriguez and Germany star Toni Kroos to La Liga, although they lost Xabi Alonso and Angel Di Maria.
The titleholders have collected four points from their opening two matches, while Saturday’s hosts sit 10th in the table at the moment with three points.
